Crafting an Immortal Race with Daily Hexagrams

Seeing the Jade Scroll, the father and son exchanged glances, and a gleam of delight flashed in their eyes.

Yu Jin spoke:

"Inside here are records of two Secret Skills."

"The first Secret Skill is called the Vein-Seeking Skill. After cultivating it, you can explore the Earth Vein, find Spirit Fields and Spirit Ores, which will be convenient for your future use."

"The second Secret Skill is called the Spirit Gathering Skill. Although you may not necessarily use it, cultivating it is still beneficial, better safe than sorry."

"Cultivators who cultivate to the Qi Cultivation Perfection, when wanting to break through to the Fetal Breathing Realm, need to condense the Immortal Embryo within their bodies. You all know this, don't you?"

Shen Yuan nodded.

He had already seen matters of the Immortal Embryo in the "Mist Flood Dragon Nourishing Vein Technique."

Yu Jin continued, "Actually, this Immortal Embryo is divided into various grades, and the root cause of this situation is the Innate Spiritual Qi."

"Innate Spiritual Qi is different from ordinary Spiritual Qi; it is a rather special existence."

"When heaven and earth first opened, the Pure Spirit Qi ascended, and the Earth Evil Qi settled, and all things in the world also gathered Innate Spiritual Qi, condensing and forming shape."

"After cultivating the Spirit Gathering Skill, you can gather the Innate Spiritual Qi you encounter and use it to break through to Fetal Breathing, refining it into the Immortal Embryo as its foundation."

"Ordinary cultivators, without the chance to obtain Innate Spiritual Qi, can only use ordinary Spiritual Qi as a foundation to condense the Immortal Embryo."

"Such an Immortal Embryo is known in the Cultivation Realm as the lowest grade of Immortal Embryo."

"Undoubtedly, a Fetal Breathing Realm cultivator with Innate Spiritual Qi is much stronger than those without it."

"If it's some rare and precious Innate Spiritual Qi, it might be even stronger."

The father and son listened attentively.

This was the first time they heard about matters concerning Fetal Breathing Realm cultivators.

As Yu Jin spoke, he suddenly smiled and said, "Of course, if you have extra Innate Spiritual Qi or it doesn't quite fit with yourself, you can take it out and sell it."

"Innate Spiritual Qi has always been a precious item with no market value in the Cultivation Realm."

"And the price ranges from tens of Spirit Crystals to tens of thousands of Spirit Crystals."

Shen Wenxing smiled bitterly upon hearing this, "Fairy is joking, in this remote place like Yangnao Land, how could there be such Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects?"

Yu Jin smiled faintly, not saying much.

"By the way, Innate Spiritual Qi must be stored in a Jade Bottle, or else it's easily polluted or dispersed."

"Alright, that's it. If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Yu Jin stood up, with Shen Yuan and Shen Wenxing escorting him to the door.

"How is Junior Brother Shen doing now?" Just as he was about to board the carriage, Yu Jin suddenly turned around and asked.

Shen Yuan bowed slightly, "Wen'an is much better now, thank you Fish Fairy for your concern."

Yu Jin's face inexplicably reddened and mumbled, "I wasn't really concerned about him... I'm off."

Watching the carriage gradually fade into the distance, the father and son returned to the courtyard.

"Ah Die, you must also cultivate the Cloud Formation and Rain Skill later."

Having seen Shen Yuan and Yu Jin personally perform the Cloud Formation and Rain Skill laboriously in the fields, he decided to help his father relieve some of the burden.

"No need."

"Your bit of Spiritual Power is not even enough for tempering your qi and blood; just focus on cultivation."

Body Refining Cultivators and Immortal Dao Cultivators are different; the Spiritual Qi in their bodies must constantly be used to temper qi and blood and forge the body.

Shen Yuan estimated that with Shen Wenxing's Spiritual Power, using the Cloud Formation and Rain Skill couldn't even irrigate one acre.

As father and son were talking, an elderly figure, leaning on a walking stick, faltered to the gate of the courtyard.

"Master, Young Master."

The person bowed, his voice hoarse.

Shen Yuan returned the salute, "Uncle Yang."

This person was precisely Yunshui Town's previous Village Chief Yang Changlin.

Yang Changlin, now over ninety, appeared very old.

Shen Wenxing brought over two stools, letting Shen Yuan and Yang Changlin sit down.

"Master, there's something I don't know if it's appropriate to say."

Shen Yuan frowning lightly, then smiled, "Uncle Yang, please speak."

After nodding, Yang Changlin stroked his beard and said with a chuckle, "This matter might just be my needless worry, I don't know if the Master has other plans."

"Now, the entire Yunshui Town belongs to the Master, with eleven villages and over ten thousand people."

"But... cough cough!"

Yang Changlin coughed twice and continued, "But other than our Jinliu Village, those like Black Stone Village and Huishui Beach that joined early on, it seems the Master doesn't quite trust them..."

Faced with his gaze, Shen Yuan was lost in thought.

He didn't know what Yang Changlin wanted to express.

Though, these words were indeed true.

Last year, Luoxia Mountain handed over the entire Yunshui Town to the Shen Family.

But apart from collecting taxes and dividing land, the Shen Family really didn't take much action on Yunshui Town's other villages.

Yang Changlin stroked his walking stick and sighed, "Jinliu Village owes its current prosperity entirely to the Master's efforts."

"I just want to tell the Master that being a lone tree cannot support a forest. Since the Immortal Sect handed Yunshui Town to the Master, why not manage it well?"

Shen Yuan smiled wryly after hearing this, "Uncle Yang, how could I not want to."

"But look at us, with just this few people, you are already at this age, we still have to trouble you for help."

Yang Changlin chuckled and nodded, "Half-buried in the ground, there isn't much time left for me."

"I came today, also wanting to talk with the Master about those big family management methods I learned in the county back in the day."

Shen Yuan nodded, "Uncle Yang, please speak."

Yang Changlin continued, "This so-called clan, in reality, isn't all just one family."

"Clans are divided into large and small, primary and secondary, like a hemp rope; as long as they can be united, then they are a clan."

"Nowadays, the Shen Family is the main branch clan; the Master ought to consider selecting some trustworthy outsiders and integrating them in as affiliated clans."

"Divide these affiliated clans into large clans and small clans, and externally, they all are referred to as the Shen Family."

"Thus, these villages, including any towns or city walls in the future, can be entrusted to members of large and small clans for management."

"The Shen Family just needs to maintain absolute leadership."

Yang Changlin finished, seeing Shen Yuan's face didn't show much reaction, he immediately dryly chuckled and said, "My humble opinion, I hope it can provide a bit of help to the Master."

Shen Yuan smiled slightly, "Thank you for your concern."

Yang Changlin waved his hand repeatedly and added, "There's one more matter."

"My age has grown, legs aren't as nimble, village affairs big and small, I fear I can no longer relieve the burdens for the Master."

Shen Yuan smiled upon hearing this, "You don't need to feel this way, for errands around the village, we can just leave them to Brother Shuan; you just stay in the headquarters."

"You are highly respected; there are still many things we rely on you for."

"Hahaha..."

Upon receiving praise from Shen Yuan, Yang Changlin felt very happy and laughed heartily.

"Good, good, good..."

"Then this old man will sell you these old bones."

The two exchanged smiles, and Yang Changlin stood up shakily, with Shen Yuan quickly assisting him.

"Let's go, Master."

With a hand gesture of respect toward Shen Yuan, Yang Changlin slowly walked down the mountain.

"Master, share your thoughts."

Watching Yang Changlin's figure gradually fade away, Shen Yuan said in a deep voice with his hands behind his back.

Shen Wenxing pondered for a moment and replied, "I think what Grandmaster Yang said has both advantages and disadvantages."

Shen Yuan nodded and slowly returned to sit on the bench.

"Continue."

Shen Wenxing sat beside him and spoke, "Though the governance method of major and minor clans can allow us to quickly control the entire Yunshui Town, it also carries many hidden dangers."

"Humans naturally have selfish intentions; with selfish intentions and power, hidden dangers will arise."

"If this continues, in case one of the affiliated clans rises in the future and harbors selfish intentions, it could seriously threaten our family's status."

Shen Yuan nodded.

"In fact, your grandmaster Yang's idea is something I've thought about long ago."

"Our Shen Family rose too quickly, and without uncles or reliable clan members, we have too few trustworthy people."

"Among your four siblings, Wenping is running the town's shop, and Wen'an and Ah Nu each have significant character flaws."

"Only you can help me alleviate the burdens."

"However..."

Shen Yuan pondered for a moment, squinting slightly, "Previously, I was worried about the issue of main family being weak and branches strong, but now I've come to realize."

"With Wen'an and myself here, regardless of major or minor clans, no big waves can overturn our family."

Shen Wen'an has already reached the realm of Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation, comparable to candidates for Immortal Sect Leader like Li Heshan and Wei Qiuling in Yangnao Land.

With him overseeing the Shen Family, the matter of affiliated clans can be considered.

"Ah Die, I have another plan."

After deep consideration, Shen Wenxing spoke, "After establishing the sect and clan, we can recruit those talented in affiliated clans into the Shen Family early."

"In this way, we can always maintain a strong main family aspect."

Shen Yuan nodded.

This indeed is feasible.

After all, the Shen Family now controls various primary resources, including Cultivation Techniques, and relies on these to hold tightly onto the rise of affiliated clans.

Through these means, absorbing the genius individuals into their own ranks for long-term use is the strategic plan.

"Then let's proceed with this plan."

"You go consult with Master Lu and draft a specific scheme first."

"Then find some craftsmen and choose a place to build a clan temple."

"Once everything is ready, proceed with the establishment of the sect."

"During this period, pay attention to the selection of individuals from affiliated clans."

"After the sect is established, find a time to screen the common people of Yunshui Town and see if any Immortal Seedlings with Spirit Root can be found."

Shen Wenxing responded and recorded these matters.

"Ah Die, shall we release some news in advance?"

Before turning to leave, Shen Wenxing suddenly asked.

Release news in advance?

After pondering for a moment, Shen Yuan laughed and said, "Yes, let them compete for it first."

With his permission, the news quickly spread throughout Yunshui Town.

As the controllers of Yunshui Town, many families were well aware of the Shen Family's situation.

Their foundations are weak, and with few people, managing the entire Yunshui Town must rely on outsiders.

Thus, many gentry and noble families have long been contemplating volunteering to become affiliated clans, but have been stymied by the Shen Family's silence about specific plans.

Now, with the news released, the gentry and noble families in Yunshui Town quickly sprang into action.

Each began to establish connections, seeking networks to approach the Shen Family to become affiliated clans.

The busiest among them were Huang Qingzhou and Zhao Shuan.

Everyone knew that Huang Qingzhou and Zhao Shuan were not only relatives of the Shen Family, but their private relationship with Patriarch Shen Yuan was excellent.

Countless big and small families continuously approached the two, leaving them exhausted.

With the onset of winter, a heavy snow fell, and Huang Qingzhou and Zhao Shuan arranged to meet at the Shen Family Manor.

In the side room, the three brothers warmed themselves by the small stove and drank hot tea.

"Ah Yuan, what should we do about this matter?"

"Over the past month, the threshold is about to be broken."

"Endless gift-giving, piling up a house with gifts and presents, here is the ledger, I will have someone bring it to you later."

Zhao Shuan took out a booklet from his coat and handed it to Shen Yuan, grumbling.

Seeing this, Huang Qingzhou couldn't help but laugh, "Brother Zhao is meticulous, even tallying it all."

"I've just lumped everything together without managing it."

Then he looked at Shen Yuan and said, "Later, you can have someone retrieve them."

Looking at the two, Shen Yuan smiled and waved, "Keep the things with ease, no need to consult me."

Zhao Shuan shook his head repeatedly, "How can that be!?"

"If you truly accept them, wouldn't that mean serving private pockets?"

Shen Yuan laughed and shook his head, "If I'm aware of the matter, naturally it isn't serving private pockets."

"Alright, it's nothing significant, Brother Shuan should begin preparations for the hunting contest."

Mentioning the hunting contest, Zhao Shuan suddenly remembered something and quickly spoke up:

"Being entangled with those gentry and noble families recently almost made me forget the big event!"

"Ah Yuan, three days ago, a report came from Black Stone Village that three hunters went missing while hunting in the mountains."

"The search party only found a dropped Rhino Horn Bow, all other traces obscured by the snow, no bodies were found, suspected to have been eaten by Demon Beasts."

Another appearance of Demon Beasts?

Sparkling with acuity in his eyes, Shen Yuan mused silently.

With Spiritual Qi just recently revived, any animal transforming into a Demon now is mostly due to special opportunities.

Like the Human Bear Demon Beast in last hunting contest, it was because it tapped into a Cyan Spirit Stone Vein for its early transformation.

Could the Demon Beast detected in Black Stone Village be like that too?